By Usman Alabi

The President has tendered his unreserved apology to the Senate few hours ago over statements made by his Special Adviser on Prosecution, Okoi Obono-Obla, that the senate lacked the powers to summon the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the minister of the Federation, Abubakar Malami to explain why he dragged the Senate President, his deputy and two others to court for alleged forgery of the Senate standing order. The President apologized through his special assistant on National Assembly matters, Senator Ita Enang.

Apologies to the hallowed chamber, the President means no disrespect.

Perhaps, the President would need to order his AGF to appear before the senate committee. This is necessary to douse the tension and put to rest the controversies that has arisen in respect of the right of the Senate to summon a minister even if the case is in court. Even the President acknowledged the fact that the Senate has the right to summon a Federal minister. Irrespective of whatever interpretation we might want to give the summon of the AGF by the Senate committee, the constitution prevails, the reason being that they truely have that power to demand an explanation on a matter that is unclear to them. Hence the Minister should answer the call of the Senate, but should also tender an apology for his absence.

However, the hallowed red chamber must also understand that it was not the Senate that was sued but the Principal officers who were found guilty in their official responsibilities, and if they cannot take the Cameron way (i.e. resign), then they should juggle their responsibilities as Senate leaders with defending themselves in court. It is true that democracy cannot thrive without separation of powers, and no arm of government should be intimidated from performing its constitutional responsibilities,

The Senators should also know that democracy thrives in an atmosphere if proper checks and balances. Hence, the Senate though has the right to summon the Minister and should insist on that, but should also allow the law to take its course and the court to decide the integrity and innocence of its Principal officers without intimidating the AGF with summons.

Apologies to the hallowed red chamber.

———–

Op–ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija